A Blue Raider coaching great returned.
Warren Conklin, the coach who started the softball program at Horseheads high school in 1976, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the new Blue Raider complex on Thursday. Conklin coached for 34 years at Horseheads and retired in 2010 but not before helping make the Blue Raiders into a perennial state power.
Conklin amassed 570 career wins, which is currently second all-time in New York State history, it was a then-state record upon his retirement. The New York State Softball Hall of Famer and Chemung County Sports Hall of Famer, won three state championships at Horseheads in 1991, 1993 and 1996. A coach who help mold and shape dozens of future NCAA D-I, II and III athletes, Conklin tells 18 Sports that his career was about building and bettering everyone.
Take a special look at the memorable day for coach Warren Conklin and the Horseheads softball program. As for the game, Horseheads cruised to a 13-1 win over Owego, Maiah Skakal hit two home runs including a walk-off.
